Jody Handley
Encyclopedia
Jody Handley is an English football
player from Stafford
. She is a pacy and experienced attacking player, and plays mainly as a wide midfielder for England Women
, and as a striker
for Everton Ladies
. She has featured in four FA Women's Cup
finals with three different clubs, losing the first three but captaining Everton Ladies to their win in 2010.
On the international stage Handley has won over 35 England caps since her debut in July 2002. She took part in the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, and was a non-playing squad member at both UEFA Women's Euro 2005 and UEFA Women's Euro 2009.
in the middle of season 1993-94. Making nine appearances, she scored five goals to help Wolves take the Northern Premier
title. In her first season in the National Premier Division
she made 16 appearances and scored two goals including the opener in Wolves first National Division win against Milwall Lionesses
. The rest of Wolves' campaign did not go so well and they were eventually relegated after a further season.
in December 1995. She also made an appearance in the FA Women's Cup
final in April 1996, which Liverpool lost on penalties to Croydon
.
In 1997 Handley played varsity soccer for the University of Detroit Mercy
. She registered ten assists and was named league Newcomer of the Year.
After her scholarship in the USA Handley returned to Liverpool in March 1998. However, the Reds were kicked out of the 1997-98 FA Women's Cup when Handley played in a win over Millwall without international clearance. In 2000 she left Liverpool for local rivals Everton
and was successfully converted from a midfielder to a striker.
, this time against Fulham
. Despite getting on the score sheet Handley had to make do with another runners–up medal; as professional outfit Fulham secured a 2–1 win.
in the 2004-05 season and went on to score in the FA Cup semi-final win against Arsenal, however she was to be disappointed once again after a 1-0 loss to Charlton Athletic
in the 2005 final. In the 2007-08 season Handley was named Everton captain through the absence of Leanne Duffy. Handley then led Everton to their first silverware in over a decade with a 1-0 win against Arsenal
in the Premier League Cup final, where she was named Player of the Match.
Season 2008-09 seemed to be full of promise for Handley, but it got off to a bad start when she suffered a broken ankle during the Umbro pre-season tournament. She recovered ahead of schedule and came on as a substitute in the 4-0 FA Cup win against Manchester City
before travelling to Cyprus
with England for a squad get together. In 2009-10 Handley captained Everton to their FA Women's Cup final win over Arsenal, setting up Natasha Dowie
for the opening goal.
as a 16-year-old and played in the U-18 national team. She also represented English Universities while a student.
Good performances at club level led to further international recognition for Handley. She made her full debut against Nigeria
in July 2002 and was named Player of the Match by Sky Sports
. In October 2003 she got her first goal for the senior England team in a 2-2 draw against Russia
in Moscow. She was on the score sheet in a 5-0 whitewash of Mexico
in the 2005 Algarve Cup and was also involved in the World Cup qualifying campaign, bagging a goal in the record 13-0 win against Hungary
en route to China 2007. She played in the finals, coming on for the last ten minutes of England's third game against Argentina
, a 6-1 win which guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals.
In May 2009, Handley was one of the first 17 female players to be given central contracts by the Football Association.
then studied health, diet and fitness at Liverpool University. She was later employed as a health development worker in Knowsley.
Women's football (soccer)
Women's association football has been played for many decades, but was associated with charity games and physical exercise in the past before the breakthrough of organized women's association football came in the 1970s. Before the 1970s, football was basically seen as a men's game...
player from Stafford
Stafford
Stafford is the county town of Staffordshire, in the West Midlands region of England. It lies approximately north of Wolverhampton and south of Stoke-on-Trent, adjacent to the M6 motorway Junction 13 to Junction 14...
. She is a pacy and experienced attacking player, and plays mainly as a wide midfielder for England Women
England women's national football team
The England women's national football team represents England in international women's football. The side has been quite successful of late, qualifying for three World Cups, 1995, 2007 and 2011...
, and as a striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
for Everton Ladies
Everton L.F.C.
Everton Ladies Football Club are a semi-professional women's association football team from the city of Liverpool, who compete in the FA WSL. They were runners-up to Arsenal in the 2009–10 Premier League National Division season. They have won the title once in 1998 and the FA Women's Cup on...
. She has featured in four FA Women's Cup
FA Women's Cup
The Football Association Women’s Challenge Cup Competition, commonly referred to as the FA Women's Cup, is the top cup competition for women's football clubs in England – designed as an exact equivalent to the FA Cup created 99 years earlier...
finals with three different clubs, losing the first three but captaining Everton Ladies to their win in 2010.
On the international stage Handley has won over 35 England caps since her debut in July 2002. She took part in the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, and was a non-playing squad member at both UEFA Women's Euro 2005 and UEFA Women's Euro 2009.
Early career
Handley began her career at Shrewsbury Ladies before moving on to Wolves WomenWolverhampton Wanderers W.F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Women's Football Club is an English women's football club affiliated with Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.. The club currently play in the Midland Combination, after being relegated from the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division in 2006–07.-History:The club began playing...
in the middle of season 1993-94. Making nine appearances, she scored five goals to help Wolves take the Northern Premier
FA Women's Premier League Northern Division
The FA Women's Premier League Northern Division is a league in the third-level in the women's football pyramid in England, along with the Southern division. These two divisions are below the FA Women's Super League and National Division....
title. In her first season in the National Premier Division
FA Women's Premier League National Division
The FA Women's Premier League National Division is the second level of the English women's football league pyramid. From 1991 until the introduction of the summer competition FA Women's Super League the National Division functioned as the top league in England. Below it are simultaneously the...
she made 16 appearances and scored two goals including the opener in Wolves first National Division win against Milwall Lionesses
Millwall Lionesses L.F.C.
Millwall Lionesses Ladies Football Club were founded in March 1972 by Patricia Maslin and Rita Bullions. In a time when women's football was almost unheard of the group of women who made up the Lionesses were at first snubbed by Millwall FC but went on to became the first women's football team to...
. The rest of Wolves' campaign did not go so well and they were eventually relegated after a further season.
Merseyside and Detroit
Handley remained in the top–flight, having signed for Liverpool LadiesLiverpool L.F.C.
Liverpool Ladies Football Club is a semi–professional women's football club affiliated with Liverpool Football Club and playing in the FA WSL...
in December 1995. She also made an appearance in the FA Women's Cup
FA Women's Cup
The Football Association Women’s Challenge Cup Competition, commonly referred to as the FA Women's Cup, is the top cup competition for women's football clubs in England – designed as an exact equivalent to the FA Cup created 99 years earlier...
final in April 1996, which Liverpool lost on penalties to Croydon
Charlton Athletic L.F.C.
Charlton Athletic Women's Football Club play in the FA Women's Premier League National Division in England. Between 2000, the year it was founded from Croydon Women's F.C. and 2007, Charlton had one of the most successful women's teams in England...
.
In 1997 Handley played varsity soccer for the University of Detroit Mercy
University of Detroit Mercy
University of Detroit Mercy is a private, Roman Catholic co-educational university in Detroit, Michigan, United States, affiliated with the Society of Jesus and the Sisters of Mercy. Antoine M. Garibaldi is the president. With origins dating from 1877, it is the largest Roman Catholic university...
. She registered ten assists and was named league Newcomer of the Year.
After her scholarship in the USA Handley returned to Liverpool in March 1998. However, the Reds were kicked out of the 1997-98 FA Women's Cup when Handley played in a win over Millwall without international clearance. In 2000 she left Liverpool for local rivals Everton
Everton L.F.C.
Everton Ladies Football Club are a semi-professional women's association football team from the city of Liverpool, who compete in the FA WSL. They were runners-up to Arsenal in the 2009–10 Premier League National Division season. They have won the title once in 1998 and the FA Women's Cup on...
and was successfully converted from a midfielder to a striker.
Doncaster Belles
She moved to Doncaster Belles for season 2001–02 and scored twice on her debut. She went on to play in her second FA Women's Cup final2002 FA Women's Cup Final
The 2002 FA Women's Cup Final was the 32nd final of the FA Women's Cup, England's primary cup competition for women's football teams. The showpiece event was played between Doncaster Belles and Fulham Ladies at Selhurst Park in London on 6 May 2002. Fulham made its second final appearance, after...
, this time against Fulham
Fulham L.F.C.
WFC Fulham, previously known as Fulham LFC, was a Ladies Football Club formerly associated with Fulham Football Club. The team were dissolved as of 16 May 2006, but were later re-established with independence from Fulham F.C....
. Despite getting on the score sheet Handley had to make do with another runners–up medal; as professional outfit Fulham secured a 2–1 win.
Everton
Handley returned to Everton LadiesEverton L.F.C.
Everton Ladies Football Club are a semi-professional women's association football team from the city of Liverpool, who compete in the FA WSL. They were runners-up to Arsenal in the 2009–10 Premier League National Division season. They have won the title once in 1998 and the FA Women's Cup on...
in the 2004-05 season and went on to score in the FA Cup semi-final win against Arsenal, however she was to be disappointed once again after a 1-0 loss to Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic L.F.C.
Charlton Athletic Women's Football Club play in the FA Women's Premier League National Division in England. Between 2000, the year it was founded from Croydon Women's F.C. and 2007, Charlton had one of the most successful women's teams in England...
in the 2005 final. In the 2007-08 season Handley was named Everton captain through the absence of Leanne Duffy. Handley then led Everton to their first silverware in over a decade with a 1-0 win against Arsenal
Arsenal L.F.C.
Arsenal Ladies Football Club are an English women's association football club affiliated with Arsenal F.C.. Founded in 1987, they are the most successful club in English women's football having won 34 major trophies to date; which are 12 FA Women's Premier League titles, 11 FA Women's Cups, ten...
in the Premier League Cup final, where she was named Player of the Match.
Season 2008-09 seemed to be full of promise for Handley, but it got off to a bad start when she suffered a broken ankle during the Umbro pre-season tournament. She recovered ahead of schedule and came on as a substitute in the 4-0 FA Cup win against Manchester City
Manchester City L.F.C.
Manchester City Ladies Football Club are an English women's football club affiliated with Manchester City FC.-History:Manchester City Ladies was formed in 1989....
before travelling to Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
with England for a squad get together. In 2009-10 Handley captained Everton to their FA Women's Cup final win over Arsenal, setting up Natasha Dowie
Natasha Dowie
Natasha Dowie is an English female football striker. She currently plays her club football for Everton. She has also represented England at youth and senior level.-Club career:...
for the opening goal.
International career
Handley first represented EnglandEngland women's national football team
The England women's national football team represents England in international women's football. The side has been quite successful of late, qualifying for three World Cups, 1995, 2007 and 2011...
as a 16-year-old and played in the U-18 national team. She also represented English Universities while a student.
Good performances at club level led to further international recognition for Handley. She made her full debut against Nigeria
Nigeria women's national football team
The Nigeria national women's football team, nicknamed the Super Falcons, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation...
in July 2002 and was named Player of the Match by Sky Sports
Sky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
. In October 2003 she got her first goal for the senior England team in a 2-2 draw against Russia
Russia women's national football team
The Russia women's national football team represents Russia in international women's football. The team is controlled by the Football Union of Russia and affiliated with UEFA...
in Moscow. She was on the score sheet in a 5-0 whitewash of Mexico
Mexico women's national football team
The Mexico women's national football team represents Mexico in international women's football competition and is controlled by the Mexican Football Federation. In the 1970s, the team gained popularity, with Mexico finishing 3rd in a unofficial Women's World Cup held in Italy...
in the 2005 Algarve Cup and was also involved in the World Cup qualifying campaign, bagging a goal in the record 13-0 win against Hungary
Hungary women's national football team
The Hungary women's national football team represents Hungary in international women's football. The team, controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation.-World Cup record:- European Championship record :*1984 : Did Not Enter*1987 : Did not qualify...
en route to China 2007. She played in the finals, coming on for the last ten minutes of England's third game against Argentina
Argentina women's national football team
The Argentina women's national football team represents Argentina in international women's football. Since there is no professional league in Argentina, almost all its members are amateur players....
, a 6-1 win which guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals.
In May 2009, Handley was one of the first 17 female players to be given central contracts by the Football Association.
International goals
- Scores and results list England's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Result Competition Scored 1 21 October 2003 Kryoia Soveto, Moscow MoscowMoscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
2–2 Friendly Exhibition gameAn exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
1 2 17 February 2005 National Hockey Stadium National Hockey StadiumThe National Hockey Stadium was a sports stadium in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, with a nominal capacity of around 4,000 seats . It was used by England Hockey as their national stadium from 1995 to 2003 and as a professional football stadium from 2003 to 2007...
, Milton KeynesMilton KeynesMilton Keynes , sometimes abbreviated MK, is a large town in Buckinghamshire, in the south east of England, about north-west of London. It is the administrative centre of the Borough of Milton Keynes...
4–1 Friendly Exhibition gameAn exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
1 3 13 March 2005 Estádio Fernando Cabrita, Lagos LagosLagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
5–0 Algarve Cup Algarve CupThe Algarve Cup is a global invitational tournament for national teams in women's football . Held annually in the Algarve region of Portugal since 1994, it is one of the most prestigious women's football events, alongside the Women's World Cup and Women's Olympic Football...
1 4 27 October 2005 Tapolca TapolcaTapolca is a town in Veszprém county, Hungary, close to Lake Balaton. It is located at around .The town has a separate district approximately 5 km to the East called Tapolca-Diszel.- The Lake Cave :...
13–0 2007 FIFA World Cup Qual. 1 5 20 April 2006 Priestfield Stadium Priestfield StadiumPriestfield Stadium is a football stadium in Gillingham, Kent...
, GillinghamGillingham, KentGillingham is a town in the unitary authority of Medway in South East England. It is part of the ceremonial county of Kent. The town includes the settlements of Brompton, Hempstead, Rainham, Rainham Mark and Twydall....
4–0 2007 FIFA World Cup Qual. 1 6 22 July 2009 County Ground County Ground, SwindonThe County Ground is a stadium located near the town centre of Swindon, England. It is home to Swindon Town Football Club and has been for over a century.The current capacity is 15,728, all-seated...
, SwindonSwindonSwindon is a large town within the borough of Swindon and ceremonial county of Wiltshire, in South West England. It is midway between Bristol, west and Reading, east. London is east...
1–0 Friendly Exhibition gameAn exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
1
Personal life
Handley attended Sir Graham Balfour SchoolSir Graham Balfour School
Sir Graham Balfour School is a secondary school in Stafford, England. It is named after Sir Graham Balfour, the Victorian statistician and member Florence Nightingale's inner circle....
then studied health, diet and fitness at Liverpool University. She was later employed as a health development worker in Knowsley.
External links
- Jody Handley at the FA website
- Jody Handley at the FA WASL website
- Jody Handley at the Everton website